What makes your sites different than Classmates.com and other alumni sites?
There are many websites that pitch themselves as the best way for you to reconnect with your old friends from high school. If you join one you may find a few hundred members that went to your school and even some that you graduated with. The problem is that while they offer some level of service, they send you a ton of spam and want to make you pay for “premium services” to get anything of value.
Our sites on the other hand are completely free to alumni and faculty of our host schools. Not only are we free, but we offer a much better experience by leveraging Web 2.0 technologies to allow members to make the site their own. This makes them much more engaging, attracts more people and generates buzz through word of mouth. For example, our Springstead site, Eagle Connections, has over 2,000 members that have uploaded more than 15,000 photos.
What is Web 2.0?
Web 2.0 is a general term for web-based technologies that allow user-generated content. You may be familiar with web sites like Wikipedia, Facebook, and YouTube. These are all Web 2.0 sites. They differ from “Web 1.0” in that they allow users to add their own content. If you think back to the 90s, the World Wide Web used to be a rather passive experience involving a lot of clicking and reading. Today this has changed because Web 2.0 allows users to develop their own content. With a Web 2.0 community, all members are able to share information with all other members. This creates a networked flow of information that fuels collaboration and leads to a more cohesive group.
What can members do on your sites?
Every member gets their own customizable page, blog, and friends list. They can upload photos and video, start discussion threads, and form groups. They can also organize events through our site which provides for invitations and alllows people to RSVP. All with an intuitive interface that keeps things simple while offering a high level of customization.
Didn't I read about your sites in the paper over the summer?
Yes, as a matter fact you did! Our flagship site, Eagle Connections, was profiled in the Hernando Today section of the Tampa Tribune on July 30, 2008. Here is a link to the article.
Are you affiliated with the schools you make sites for?
We are not affiliated with all of our schools, but we are partnering with some to organize events and even enable alumni to donate money. When most people think about making donations to their school they are thinking about the college they attended. However, there is no reason why this valuable funding source cannot be leveraged by a high school. They just need a forum to connect the alumni and a means to receive the donations. ACG can provide both! If you are a school administrator and would like to partner with ACG, the best way to reach us is through the Contact Us page.
Can you build me a site for my business, church or club?
Are you looking for sponsors?
Absolutely, as of September 2008 we have about 4000 members and the vast majority of them live just a short drive from their old high school. Plus the people that moved away tend to have family and friends in the area and visit often. Advertising your business on our sites is an innovative and affordable away to reach out to your customers. For more information on advertising see our Advertising page or contact us through the Contact Us page.